There were a lot of cool industries for modeling.
Take for instance the high speed test track loop, that would make a great 4 x 8 layout and you could blow up tank cars in the middle.
Just goes to show there's a prototype for everything.
Chip
Building the Rock Ridge Railroad with the slowest construction crew west of the Pecos.
Modeling the fictional B&M Dowe, NH branch in the early 50's.
My Youtube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/JR7582 My Flickr Photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/wcfan/
For those of us using DCC, having an oval test track on the layout would be a good place to test locomotives prior to installing decoders, and would give us a place to run those older engines that draw too much current. I have a test track that uses 22" radius snap track and a couple of rerailers on a 4x5 piece of plywood. Modelling a test track in the layout is a good idea, Chip. Just have to keep it electrical isolated.
Bob Hayes